AIR GUIDING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE FRONT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND A MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to an air guidance arrangement (5) for the front end of a motor vehicle, said arrangement (5) comprising at least: – a bumper skin; – a bumper beam (9); – a controlled air inlet module (11) located between said bumper skin and said beam (9); characterized in that said controlled air inlet module (11) comprises at least two distinct stop elements (25, 27): – a first stop element (25) configured to abut against the beam (9) after a substantially rectilinear movement of said controlled air inlet module (11); – a second stop element (27) configured to abut against the beam (9) after a rotational movement of said controlled air inlet module (11). [Fig. 4]

Description

Title of the invention: AIR GUIDE ARRANGEMENT FOR THE FRONT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of motor vehicle front end structures, and more particularly to arrangements comprising a controlled air intake module, also designated by the acronym "MEAP" in French, intended to be mounted on the front ends of motor vehicles.

[0002] A front end structure for a motor vehicle comprises a front end support (better known by the English term "bolster") which generally comprises an upper cross member secured to a lower cross member by means of two legs arranged vertically in the motor vehicle.

[0003] In a known manner, such a structure for a front face can extend in the motor vehicle from a shield to an apron of the vehicle and make it possible to secure an engine compartment, to support a motor-fan unit while constituting a separation from the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0004] Thus, the controlled air intake modules are arranged in and / or on the front face of the vehicle and make it possible to open or close the access of air to an engine compartment via a set of shutters arranged on or in the front face of the motor vehicle. In addition, such modules are sometimes designated by the acronym "AGS" coming from the English expression "Active Grille Shutter" (active grille shutter).

[0005] A controlled air inlet module generally comprises an actuator (also called an actuator) controlling flaps allowing the air inlet to be opened or closed. The controlled air inlet module notably comprises at least one frame, delimiting an air passage section, in which at least one flap is arranged, these elements usually being made of plastic.

[0006] Thus, a controlled air inlet module is configured so that: - in the open position, air can circulate through the air intake and contribute to cooling the motor vehicle engine; - in the closed position, air cannot enter through the grille, shield or bumper skin of the front face, thus reducing the drag coefficient and thus reducing the fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of the motor vehicle.

[0007] A controlled air intake module thus makes it possible to reduce energy consumption and pollution when the engine does not need to be cooled by outside air. However, when designing a motor vehicle, it is important to ensure to minimize the consequences of an accident in which the motor vehicle, and more particularly its front end, hits an obstacle.

[0008] In particular, it is necessary to reduce the risk of bodily injury (in particular when a pedestrian is knocked down by a motor vehicle), but also to reduce material damage to the motor vehicle itself during minor impacts.

[0009] In the prior art, during small impacts, for example at speeds of a few kilometers per hour, for example less than or equal to 4 km / h, between the front face of the vehicle and an obstacle (also referred to as “parking impacts”), the controlled air intake module can be broken during these small impacts and itself damage elements located nearby, such as a camera, a sensor, the actuator, a heat exchanger, etc.

[0010] Indeed, during an impact with an obstacle, the controlled air intake module moves towards the engine compartment, by a rectilinear translational movement, but also according to a rotational movement. During these movements, said controlled air intake module will strike the various elements located near and / or behind said controlled air intake module, and damage them.

[0011] Furthermore, it is customary to arrange a front radar (for example a camera or a sensor) in a support arranged between the air intake module and the bumper skin, or even to mount it in a dedicated receiving cavity arranged in said controlled air intake module. Thus, during a frontal impact at low speed, it is common for the radar to become misaligned, reducing its effectiveness, or even rendering it inoperative.

[0012] The consequences of low-speed impacts are therefore not acceptable for the user of the vehicle, both for reasons of after-sales costs (repair costs) and for reasons of perceived quality.

[0013] The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of air guide arrangement for the front face of a motor vehicle, said arrangement comprising at least: - a bumper skin; - a bumper beam, or shock absorber (for example) lower, or even cross member (for example lower); - a controlled air intake module located between said bumper skin and said beam characterized in that said controlled air inlet module comprises at least two separate stop elements: - a first stop element configured to come into abutment against the beam after a substantially rectilinear movement of said controlled air inlet module; - a second stop element configured to come into abutment against the beam after a rotational movement of said controlled air inlet module.

[0014] The arrangement according to the invention thus makes it possible to give the controlled air intake module particular kinematics during small impacts on the front face of the vehicle, in particular at the level of the front bumper. This thus limits the risks of breakage of the controlled air intake module, and of misalignment of a possible central radar arranged between the module and the bumper skin. Said arrangement therefore makes it possible to reduce the costs linked to possible repairs, to improve user satisfaction, by reducing costs and strengthening the perceived quality. Furthermore, such an arrangement is compatible with other safety requirements, such as those with more significant impacts, for example with a pedestrian.

[0015] According to a possible characteristic, said controlled air intake module is fixed to said bumper skin, for example by means of a bumper skin reinforcement.

[0016] According to another possible characteristic, the distance between the first stop element and the beam is greater than the distance between the second stop element and the beam, for example at least by a factor of three, and preferably by a factor of five.

[0017] According to another possible characteristic, said arrangement comprises an electronic member, such as a radar (for example a sensor or a camera), arranged between the bumper skin and the controlled air intake module.

[0018] According to another possible characteristic, said controlled air inlet module comprises two frames each delimiting an air inlet equipped with at least one movable closing flap, as well as at least one actuator for controlling the movable closing flap(s).

[0019] According to another possible characteristic, said module comprises fixing lugs located on the contour of each of said frames, said fixing lugs being configured to secure the controlled air intake module to the bumper skin. It is advantageous if the frames and the bumper skin have a mechanical connection of the plane-plane type, so that the bumper skin and said frames can move in a fixed manner.

[0020] According to another possible characteristic, said first stop element is located on at least one of said frames of the controlled air inlet module.

[0021] According to another possible characteristic, said controlled air inlet module comprises a sealing wall which acts as a first stop element. It is advantageous if a pre-existing element (or an already present structure), such as a sealing wall, of the module can act as the first stop element, thus reducing the design and manufacturing costs of said piloted air inlet module.

[0022] According to another possible characteristic, said frames are connected to each other by a ski (or ramp), said ski being only mechanically connected to said frames.

[0023] According to another possible characteristic, said ski acts as a pivot connection between the frames of said controlled air intake module. Said ski has several degrees of freedom which allow it to undergo twists without being damaged, and by extension allows said controlled air intake module to undergo twists without it breaking.

[0024] According to another possible characteristic, said second stop element is located on the ski of said controlled air inlet module. Advantageously, the second stop element is a shape or protrusion arranged on the ski, in particular to limit the torsional movement of said ski, and by extension, to limit the rotational movement of said controlled air intake module before it suffers irreparable damage.

[0025] According to another possible characteristic, said controlled air inlet module is made of plastic material, such as polypropylene (or PP), for example loaded with talc or fibers (vegetable or glass). Advantageously, all the elements of said module are made of plastic, because it is an inexpensive material and whose overall and local rigidity can be easily controlled by reducing thickness or by adding reinforcements or extra thicknesses.

[0026] According to another possible characteristic, the distance between the first stop element and the beam is at least 30 mm, and preferably at least 35 mm, and is advantageously between 30 and 50 mm. In the mounted position, during an impact, said air intake module moves substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and in the direction of the latter (therefore towards the rear), until the first stop element comes into contact with the bumper beam.

[0027] This controlled movement of the module is thus carried out over a minimum distance of at least 30 mm, and preferably at least 35 mm, and advantageously between 30 and 50 mm, in order to allow dissipation of the energy of the impact and to prevent the module from breaking and / or damaging other elements.

[0028] According to another possible characteristic, the distance between the second stop element and the beam is less than 25 mm, and preferably less than 20 mm, and is advantageously between 8 and 15 mm. In the mounted position, during an impact, said air intake module moves substantially in a rotational movement, generally around a substantially horizontal axis, until the second stop element comes into contact with the bumper beam. This controlled movement of the module allows dissipation of energy shock and prevents the module from breaking and / or damaging other elements.

[0029] According to another possible characteristic, said controlled air intake module comprises reinforcements, for example made in one piece with said module, which are advantageously located on the frame(s) of said module. Said reinforcements are advantageously located at the level of the weak zones of said module, limiting the risks of deterioration of said module during an impact.

[0030] The invention further relates to a controlled air inlet module, characterized in that said controlled air inlet module is configured to be mounted in an arrangement as defined above.

[0031] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, for example thermal, electric or hybrid, characterized in that it comprises an arrangement as defined above.

[0032] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] illustrates a schematic, partial and perspective view of a front face of a motor vehicle equipped with an air guide arrangement according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is a schematic, partial and perspective view of the air guide arrangement of [Fig.l]; - [[Fig.3]] is a schematic, enlarged and perspective view of a controlled air intake module of the agency of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.4] is a schematic, enlarged, partial, perspective and side view of the arrangement of [Fig.l].

[0033] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of". Similarly, the terms "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "longitudinal" and "transverse" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the motor vehicle, whether it is thermal, hybrid or electric.

[0034] It will be noted that in the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements. In addition, we define an orthogonal reference XYZ in relation to the vehicle, namely: - an X axis, defining a longitudinal and horizontal direction of the vehicle, - a Y axis, defining a transverse and horizontal direction, which with the X axis defines a horizontal XY plane, - a Z axis, defining a vertical direction, orthogonal to the horizontal XY plane, the Z axis with the X axis defining a vertical XZ plane.

[0035] In the present application, it will be noted that "substantially parallel" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or at most 5° from a parallel direction. It will also be noted that "substantially orthogonal" means a direction deviating by at most 20°, or even by at most 10° or at most 5° from an angle of a value of 90°.

[0036] [Fig.l] thus illustrates a schematic, perspective and partial view of a motor vehicle 1, more particularly a front face structure 3 of said vehicle 1 which comprises an air guide arrangement 5 according to the invention.

[0037] Said air guide arrangement 5 comprising at least: - a bumper skin 7; - a bumper beam 9 which is for example an element of a shock absorption system 10; - a controlled air intake module 11 located between said bumper skin 7 and said beam 9, said module 11 being located substantially opposite said beam 9.

[0038] In the embodiment described herein, said controlled air intake module 11 is fixed directly to the bumper skin 7, the air passages of said module 11 being positioned opposite openings made in said bumper skin 7. However, in alternative embodiments not shown, said module 11 is fixed to other elements of the bumper (and not to the bumper skin).

[0039] The bumper skin 7, for its part, is a bodywork element which has two opposite main faces: - a first face, referenced 7a, called the external face, which, in the mounted position, is the face of the element intended to be oriented towards the exterior of the vehicle, and which is therefore the visible face of the vehicle (face therefore contributing to the general aesthetic appearance of the vehicle); - a second face (not visible in the figures), called the external face, which, in the mounted position, is the face intended to be oriented towards the vehicle and which is therefore not visible to the user.

[0040] [Fig.2] is a schematic, partial, perspective view of the air guide arrangement 5 of [Fig.l], more particularly from the interior of the vehicle towards the exterior.

[0041] The bumper skin 7 advantageously comprises, arranged on the internal face, a bumper skin reinforcement 7b (more particularly visible in [Fig.2]), said module 11 being fixed to the bumper skin 7 by means of said reinforcement 7b, and for example by a fixing interface arranged on said reinforcement 7b.

[0042] Said shock absorption system 10, for its part, comprises: - said beam 9, which is for example a hollow beam, forming a shock absorber; - at least one fixing plate 13 on the one hand, connected to said beam 9, and on the other part, configured to allow the attachment of said absorption system 10 to a structural element (not shown) of a motor vehicle, such as a motor vehicle stretcher; - at least one shock absorption box 15 fixed, on the one hand, to said plate 13, and on the other hand, to said beam 9 (box 15 also referred to in English as a “crashbox”).

[0043] Said controlled air inlet module 11, for its part, comprises at least: - two frames 17 each delimiting an air inlet (or air passage) equipped with at least one movable shutter 19; - a ski 21 (or ramp) connecting said at least two frames 17 together, said ski 21 preferably being only mechanically connected to said frames 17; - an actuator 23 for controlling the movable shutter(s) 19, in particular for moving the shutter(s) 19 from an open position to a closed position and vice versa, said at least one actuator 23 being advantageously located (and fixed) on the ski 21, between said frames 17; - a first stop element 25 configured to come into abutment against the beam 9 after a substantially rectilinear movement of said controlled air intake module 11 (in the direction of the vehicle); - a second stop element 27 configured to come into abutment against the beam 9 after a rotational movement of said controlled air inlet module 11.

[0044] It will be noted that by ski is meant a mechanical structure which acts as a pivot connection between the frames 17 of said controlled air intake module 11. Said ski 21 thus has several degrees of freedom which allow it to undergo torsions without being damaged, and by extension allows the frames 17 of said module 11 to deform and / or to have curvatures (for example in opposite directions) without this damaging said frames 17.

[0045] Thus, in the mounted position, the module 11 is arranged in a transverse vertical plane (YZ plane), that is to say that the main extension planes of said frames 17 are situated substantially in a transverse vertical plane, while the beam 9 has a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to the transverse axis (Y axis) of the vehicle.

[0046] [Fig. 3] is a schematic, enlarged and perspective view of the controlled air inlet module 11. Said controlled air inlet module 11 is advantageously made of plastic material, such as polypropylene (or PP), for example loaded with talc or fibers (plant or glass).

[0047] As is more particularly visible in [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], said frames 17 of the module 11 comprise: - fixing lugs 17a located on the contour of each of said frames 17, said fixing lugs 17a being configured to secure the input module of piloted air 11 to the bumper skin 7, in particular at the level of the technical interface of the reinforcement 7b of the bumper skin 7; - reinforcements 17b configured to locally reinforce the mechanical resistance of said frames 17, said reinforcements 17b being advantageously located on the contour of said frames 17 and integral with said frames 17.

[0048] It will also be noted that the first and second stop elements 25 and 27 are elements distinct from one another and are advantageously made in one piece with elements of the controlled air intake module 11. The first and second stop elements 25 and 27 are advantageously located respectively on the frame(s) 17, and on the ski 21.

[0049] Advantageously, said air intake module 11 comprises a sealing wall located on the frames 17, for example on the periphery of said frames 17, and preferably on the side located opposite said bumper beam 9, said sealing wall of said frames 17 acting as a first stop element 25.

[0050] Furthermore, said second stop element 27, located on the ski 21 of said controlled air inlet module 11, is for example a shape, a protuberance, or a part of the ski 21.

[0051] [Fig. 4] is a schematic, partial, perspective and side view of an air inlet module 11 and the beam 9. The distance between the first stop element 25 and the beam 9 is at least 30 mm, and preferably at least 35 mm, and advantageously between 30 and 50 mm, while the distance between the second stop element and the beam is at least 25 mm, and preferably less than 20 mm, and advantageously between 8 and 15 mm.

[0052] It will be noted that the term “stop-beam” distance means the minimum (respective) distance to be covered by the stop elements 25 and 27 before they come into contact with the beam 9.

[0053] Thus, when the arrangement 5 is in the mounted position, and during an impact, initially, said controlled air intake module 11 moves substantially along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (X axis), and in the direction of the beam 9, until the first stop element 25 comes into contact with said bumper beam 9. Then, said air intake module 11 performs a rotational movement, generally around a horizontal axis (Y axis), until the second stop element 27 comes into contact with the bumper beam 9. This specific and two-stage kinematics thus makes it possible to optimize the dissipation of energy from an impact without the module 11 being damaged and without it damaging other elements nearby.

[0054] In another variant embodiment not shown, said arrangement comprises an electronic member, such as a radar (for example a sensor or a camera), arranged between the bumper skin 7 and the controlled air intake module 11. Avanta Conveniently, said module 11 comprises a housing, for example located opposite the ski, for housing said electronic component.

Claims

Claims

1. Air guide arrangement (5) for the front of a motor vehicle, said arrangement (5) comprising at least: - a bumper skin (7); - a bumper beam (9); - a controlled air intake module (11) located between said bumper skin (7) and said beam (9); characterized in that said controlled air intake module (11) comprises at least two separate stop elements (25, 27): - a first stop element (25) configured to abut against the beam (9) after a substantially rectilinear movement of said controlled air intake module (11); - a second stop element (27) configured to abut against the beam (9) after a rotational movement of said controlled air intake module (11).

2. Arrangement (5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said controlled air intake module (11) is fixed to said bumper skin (7).

3. Arrangement (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said controlled air inlet module (11) comprises two frames (17) each delimiting an air inlet equipped with at least one movable shutter (19), as well as at least one actuator (23) for controlling the movable shutter(s) (19).

4. Arrangement (5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first stop element (25) is located on at least one of said frames (17) of the controlled air inlet module (11).

5. Arrangement (5) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said frames (17) are connected to each other by a ski (21), said ski (21) being only mechanically connected to said frames (17).

6. Arrangement (5) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said second stop element (27) is located on the ski (21) of said controlled air inlet module (11).

7. Arrangement (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the first stop element (25) and the beam (9) is at least 30 mm.

8. Arrangement (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the second stop element (27) and the beam (9) is less than 25 mm.

9. Piloted air inlet module (11), characterized in that said module (11) is configured to be mounted in an arrangement (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises an arrangement (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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